The contributions of the Indian to reputable charitable causes are steadily increasing. The Impact Report reveals that pre-pandemic donations had already exceeded $800 million, and Indian-American households now contribute between $1.5 and $2 billion annually to nonprofit organizations. However, I believe this is just the beginning. The logical next step is to harness the entrepreneurial spirit and resources of Indian-Americans to support those working for social change in India through market-driven strategies.
To realize this ambitious vision, we must continue to build an ecosystem in India that supports social enterprises using for-profit models aimed at driving positive social and ecological change. Is there a model for this kind of transformative impact? Yes—Silicon Valley provides an exemplary case of what can happen when such an ecosystem thrives. Without exaggeration, the influence of Silicon Valley has revolutionized the world, unlocking vast potential in fields like information access, technological innovation, and energy solutions, benefitting billions globally.
Can India replicate this success, creating a similar platform for social enterprises? I believe it can—and it must. This is why I take immense pride in the work of Action For India (AFI), the organization I founded, which is helping build a powerful ecosystem by connecting innovative entrepreneurs with highly motivated social entrepreneurs from India, all committed to solving pressing public challenges.
With over 2 million social entrepreneurs, India is already leading the world in using market-based approaches to drive sustainable, scalable change. The country’s immense talent pool, coupled with its wide-ranging social and ecological needs, creates fertile ground for social enterprises to drive transformative change across communities. This positions India as a global leader in both social enterprise and impact investing. We are witnessing this potential firsthand at the TiE Global Summit in Bangalore this month, which I will be attending.
The Indian diaspora has played a pivotal role in the success of Silicon Valley and is uniquely positioned to support the growth of high-impact social enterprises in India. The diaspora’s contribution goes beyond financial support; it includes mentorship, facilitating partnerships, and nurturing a culture of innovation. However, to fully unlock this potential, a rigorous approach is required. As Vikram Gandhi, Senior Lecturer at Harvard Business School, emphasized during his keynote address at the Philanthropy Forum organized by Indiaspora and Dasra this past October, it is crucial to carefully evaluate both the financial sustainability and the social impact of investments in social enterprises. His insights guide the work we do at AFI.
At AFI, we have adopted an ecosystem-building approach, organizing social enterprise accelerator programs throughout the year, along with the Silicon Valley Challenge and Trek. These programs bring leading social entrepreneurs from India to Silicon Valley, where they meet mentors, investors, and experts. The impact has been transformative. For instance, one of our alumni, Carbonlites, converts agricultural waste into clean energy—a venture that has gained traction thanks to its connection with Silicon Valley.
Through our work, AFI has created a replicable model for ecosystem development, offering both financial and strategic guidance to help social enterprises scale sustainably. The ecosystem that India needs to foster a thriving social enterprise sector is being built through technology-driven solutions like AI, strategic partnerships between government and non-governmental organizations, and a strong focus on measurable outcomes and accountability. Social entrepreneurs in India are utilizing these trends to address challenges in areas such as sustainable agriculture, education access, healthcare, and eldercare.
One example is the rise of climate-focused enterprises, which appeal to both sustainability-minded and investment-driven stakeholders. Hybrid revenue models are gaining popularity and acceptance, signaling a shift toward sustainable profit-generation alongside positive social impact. In addition, India’s young, educated, and idealistic population is increasingly embracing technology and forward-thinking solutions, making it an ideal environment for social enterprises.
I am convinced that India is on the cusp of a social enterprise revolution, driven by an ecosystem that nurtures bold ideas and ideals. With organizations like AFI helping to further develop this ecosystem and with active engagement from Silicon Valley veterans, Indian social entrepreneurs will gain access to the tools, mentorship, and funding necessary to scale their impact.
We invite members of the Indian-American diaspora to join us in this journey. By offering your mentorship, advice, investments, donations, connections, and technological expertise, you can help social enterprises in India reach their full potential. Together, let’s be part of this exciting wave of change and impact!
